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Exogenous NGF Affects Cholinergic Transmitter Function and Y-Maze Behavior in Aged Fischer 344 Male Rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Lawrence R. Williams*
Affiliation:
CNS Diseases Research, The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo
R. Jane Rylett
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of Western Ontario and The Robart's Research Institute, London
Hylan C. Moises
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Andrew H. Tang
Affiliation:
CNS Diseases Research, The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo
*
CNS Diseases Research, Unit 7251-209-5, The Upjohn Company, 301 Henrietta Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A. 49001
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Abstract:

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Chronic ICV administration of NGF stimulates the activity of the cholinergic neuronal markers, HACU and ChAT, as well as the evoked release of both endogenous and newly synthesized acetylcholine in the brain of aging Fischer 344 male rats. However, the pattern of cholinergic phenotype stimulation indicates an age-related differential regulation of ChAT, HACU, and ACh release between specific brain areas, with the largest.effects found in the striatum. NGF treatment also increases the effectiveness of neurotransmission between basal forebrain cholinergic neurons and postsynaptic amygdaloid target neurons. The stimulation of central cholinergic transmitter function after NGF treatment affects behavior in a Y-maze brightness discrimination paradigm. NGF treatment does not affect the cognitive measure of brightness discrimination, but reduces the number of avoidance attempts, a measure of motor function.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1991

References

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